Trouble Returns to Honduras

from Noticias 24

TEGUCIGALPA (AP) — Exiled Honduran president Manuel Zelaya assured on Thursday that he will return to this capital after 16 months in the Dominican Republic, to return to live in Honduras.

He thereby rejected sympathiser versions that he would return on the 28th of May for only two days.

"I'll return on Saturday the 28th (of May) to my country, the one that saw my birth, not for a week nor 24 hours, that you have erroneously been told, but for the rest of my life," affirned the ex-executive in a message sent to his followers.

He signalled that, "I do not have a fear of the dangers and adversities."

The president of the Commitee on Human Rights and friend of Zelaya, Andres Pevon, had announced that the ex-governor would come to the country, "on an exploratory basis, would only be there for a day or more, and would later return to the Domincan Republic."

According to Pevon, Zelaya would thereby confirm in Honduras "the personal security guarantees promised by authorities."

The arrival of Zelaya is guaranteed by the Cartegena de Indias Agreement, signed on Sunday in that South American port by himself and Honduran president Porfirio Lobo with presidents Juan Manuel Santos of Columbia and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela as witnesses of honor.

Those executives pushed the mediation process which culminated in the repatriation of Zelaya and the return of Honduras to the Organization of American States (OAS).

The OAS had suspended Honduras' seat following Zelaya removal from power in June of 2009.

Zelaya has scheduled to arrive at Toncontin International Airport in Tegucigalpa where it is anticipated that thousands of sympathisizers from the National Popular Resistance Front will gather to welcome their leader.

Juan Barahona, director of the front, told the AP that, "Zelaya comes to stay, not to leave the country again."

Rasel Tome, Zelaya's legal representative, confirmed that, "the personal security of the ex-president will consist of people with whom he has complete confidence."

He informed us that the Front has coordinated with the police to clear the streets Zelaya and his followers will use on the day of his return.

In the same manner, the authorities have guaranteed the freedom of movement in all national territories for Zelayistas, who will arrive in caravans to see their leader.

Zelaya has lived in Santo Domingo since the 27th of January in 2010, when he travelled their under a safe conduct granted by Lobo, who on that day had assumed presidential powers for a four year term.